The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Euro Disney SCA has secured permission from the French government to expand its operations. The plans for an expansion of approximately 13% in area to 5,508 acres and are expected to include a third theme park (in addition to Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios) as well as a housing complex and a ‘vacation village’ currently referred to as Les Villages Nature de Val d’Europe.

The Walt Disney Company has an approximately 40% stake in Euro Disney SCA, the parent company of the Disneyland Paris Resort.

Disney Online, part of the Disney Interactive Media Group, launched two new original video series today featuring The Muppets and celebrity chef Cat Cora. “The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora” on Disney.com (www.Disney.com/MuppetsKitchen) inspires and entertains families through cooking and classic Muppet comedy, while “Hasty Tasty Cooking Tips with Cat Cora and the Muppets” on Disney Family.com (www.Family.com/HastyTasty) was created specifically for moms, offering recipes, step-by-step cooking tips and fun family-time ideas. “Muppets Kitchen” and “Hasty Tasty” are exclusively sponsored by the all-new Honda Odyssey and the National Milk Mustache “got milk?”® Campaign.

Courtesy of our friends at Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, we are pleased to bring you this exciting opportunity in one of our readers will win a Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue gift pack featuring: (1) Copy of Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue on Disney Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack; (2) Pairs of Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue fairy wings (colors chosen at random); and (1) Do-It-Yourself Fairy House (shown assembled). In addition, one grand prize winner will win all of the above PLUS: (1) Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue picnic blanket; and (1) Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue doll (character chosen at random).

Santa Claus is coming to town and Phineas, Ferb, their friends are fans will be ready with Phineas and Ferb: Holiday Favorites, an album that puts the popular characters’ unique and humorous twist on holiday tunes, releasing in stores and digitally September 21 on Walt Disney Records. The widely appealing album features all the tracks from last year’s popular digital-EP “Christmas Vacation,” in addition to 10 brand new songs. Five new music videos and the cleverly comedic “Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation” holiday special will be presented on Disney XD, Disney Channel, ABC Family and the ABC Television Network this year. Geared towards kids, tweens and families, the special posted record-setting ratings with its premiere last year on Disney XD (ranking as the channel’s #1 telecast of all time, across all demographics) and on Disney Channel (the series most-watched telecast with over 5 million Total Viewers).

A rhythmic and artful Skipping Ropes act joins the cast of La Nouba, an original Cirque du Soleil production performed at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The pair of Japanese rope skippers balance speed, grace and agility in a series of solo, duo and group rope formations.

Walt Disney Studios has recently provided us with a slew of behind-the-scene photos, character art and concept art for its upcoming release from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Tangled. If that wasn’t enough, we also received a few additional stills, all of which we are pleased to share with you in hi-res format.

First up is some behind-the-scene photos with the voice talent from the film as they work on bringing their animated counterparts to life. Along with co-directors Byron Howard and Nathan Greno, here you’ll find images of Mandy Moore (Rapunzel), Zachary Levi (Flynn Rider), Donna Murphy (Mother Gothel), composer Alan Menken, lyricist Glenn Slater, producer Roy Conli and recording artist Grace Potter (of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals), who wrote a song for the film.

Walt Disney Studios has released the following music video in support of Secretariat, the impossible true story. ‘It’s Who You Are’ is performed by Amanda ‘AJ’ Michalka who is arguably best known for her musical performances with her sister as Aly & AJ, later called 78violet.

Amanda also has a role in the film which opens in theaters nationwide. For more information on Secretariat, including the trailer, posters, dozens of stills and more, follow this bookmark.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has just released this sneak peek at the music video for the Beauty and the Beast title song as performed by American Idol winner Jordin Sparks. The video is to be featured on the Beauty and the Beast Diamond Edition which will be released on Disney Blu-ray/DVD on October 5.

Don’t forget to check out our sneak peek of just some of the many bonus features to be found on the Beauty and the Beast Diamond Editionhere.